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Infertility in women

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of female infertility.

Alternative Names

Pelvic inflammatory disease; Polycystic ovaries

Highlights

ART and Pregnancy Complications

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) increase the risk for pregnancy complications. Many of these complications are due to the multiple births associated with ART treatments. According to a study in Obstetrics and Gynecology , patients who receive in vitro fertilization (IVF) or fertility drugs are at increased risk for:

• Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy)
• Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
• Placental abruption (placenta becoming detached from the uterus)
• Placenta previa (placenta developing in lower section of uterus)
• Miscarriage in last trimester
• Cesarean section

ART and Birth Defects

ART does not increase the risk for chromosomal damage or genetic birth defects, suggests several recent studies. However, pregnancy problems and multiple births may cause premature birth and low birth weight. These complications can affect the health of the child.

Acupuncture for Infertility

The timing of acupuncture treatments may affect its possible ability to improve pregnancy success in women undergoing IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. According to several recent studies in Fertility and Sterility , acupuncture may boost pregnancy success when it is given:

• During the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle
• On the day of embryo transfer

Overall, however, studies have been mixed on acupuncture’s benefits for infertility. Experts do agree that acupuncture treatments are safe.

Infertility in Women with Endometriosis

Taking a GnRH agonist drug, such as leuprolide (Lupron), in the months before in vitro fertilization may quadruple the chance for pregnancy in women with endometriosis, suggests a 2006 review in the Cochrane Database .

Infertility in Cancer Survivors

Freezing and storing embryos (embryo cryopreservation) should be the first-line fertility preservation method for women undergoing cancer treatments, according to 2006 guidelines from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). ASCO also recommends that women receiving cancer treatments consult a reproductive specialist.

• Review Date: 10/19/2006
• Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

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